The Best Fishing Waders To Use on Your Next Fishing Trip
Fishing is a livelihood for some and a hobby for others, but no matter what reason you may have to fish, there’s no doubt that it takes a while to do, especially if you’re going the good old angling route. Anglers wait hours every day for that one good catch, and when it bites, you can get too caught up in the moment to realize you’ve gotten your shoes and jeans drenched. Bummer!
Of course, that wouldn’t be a problem if you wore fishing waders. Designed to keep most of your clothes dry when fishing, you can get as aggressive as possible trying to secure a fish, and as long as you don’t just flat-out fall into the water, you’ll stay dry the entire time. Check out our favorite fishing waders of 2024 here!
Our Top Picks
The Best Fishing Waders of 2024: Reviewed in Detail
Best Overall
This wader set contains all you need to keep you and your most precious belongings dry while fishing and angling. The package comes with the chest wader but it also includes a cover for your smartphone and a boot hanger to keep those boots in place when not in use. All this for a price that’s very competitive in the market, and you’ve got yourself a great deal.
The waterproof case for the smartphone is more or less universal, and unless you’ve got a giant smartphone it should fit nicely. The case also has a strap that you can connect your phone to so that it won’t just fall off into the water by accident. As for the wader, it’s made out of pretty good material, and it comes in brown and green colors, so feel free to pick whatever color you prefer more. With all the cool colors and extra features, this wader tops our list as the best overall.
Pros
- Comes with a free smartphone case
- Includes boot hanger
- Available in two different colors
Cons
- Can be difficult to use the phone inside the case
Most Affordable
Fishing can be quite an expensive hobby. You have to buy rods, fishing lines, and bait. And that’s not even mentioning the many tackle collections that a lot of hobbyist anglers have sunken hundreds if not thousands of dollars into. It’s safe to say that you need quite a bit of money to really enjoy fishing to its fullest extent, and if you want to save up a bit wherever you can, this affordable wader is a great pickup.
For just under $31, you’re getting an entire chest wader and a hanger for your boots, too. The quality of the wader is solid, and it’s got three variants to choose from, including one that comes in camo if you’re into that design. It does not include a smartphone case or cover, which may be a dealbreaker for some. But if you just want a simple wader, this is definitely something that’s great for those on a budget.
Pros
- Very affordable price
- Great material quality
- Available in camo color
Cons
- Does not come with a smartphone case
Best Camo Wader
Camo is a very popular design that’s been around for decades, and it’s made its way to all sorts of clothing. You can find a camo variant for just about any type of shirt or clothing, and this chest wader is no exception to the rule. The kit includes the aforementioned camo wader as well as a smartphone case, a hanger for your boots, and a carrying bag to put everything inside.
The entire kit is waterproof, and the chest wader, in particular, is made of neoprene. It’s durable, tough, and very premium-looking compared to other chest waders. Now, camo may not be as effective in the open sea or by the lake as it would be in a swamp or under tall grass, but if you really wanted to go to the latter areas, you’d find that the camo works quite well. It’s also just a treat to look at, so, despite its price, it may be worth every penny to you.
Pros
- Unique and realistic camo design
- Includes carrying bag for all items
- Includes 120-day return policy and one-year warranty
Cons
- Very costly compared to other waders
Most Size Options
Like most pieces of clothing, fishing waders come in various sizes, and you’ll want to pick the right size for you if you want a comfortable experience while you wear the wader. After all, you’ll likely be wearing the wader all day, so you may as well wear one that’s not too loose or too tight on you. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find the perfect fit when it comes to these niche pieces of clothing.
This fishing wader luckily comes in many different sizes to cater to as many people as possible. You’ve got sizes 7 to 16 with women’s variants, too, so there’s bound to be a size that fits you. There aren’t any sizes for children, unfortunately, so you may need to buy those separately, but if it’s just for you and a few other adults or teens, then you can definitely find the right size for each one.
Pros
- Plenty of size options for men and women
- Completely waterproof with no holes
- Lightweight material for all-day use
Cons
- Limited color and design options (only two)
Most Designs
Fishing waders are functional pieces of clothing, and you almost never wear them for their looks, unique and niche as they are. But if you’re the type of person who just really loves to dress up for the occasion, then these designs by FISHINGSIR may interest you. There are a total of six different choices to work with; you’ve got the common green and brown, the somewhat common camo, and also some other rare colors in blue, dark blue, and grey.
Each design is available in many different sizes, so there’s a good chance it’ll fit you perfectly. Included in the kit are a waterproof smartphone case and a hanger for your boots, so you’re basically all set to wade in the water with no issue at all. There isn’t too much of a difference between this set of waders and others on the list other than the color, though, so unless you really want a specific color, other options are just as viable.
Pros
- Available in six different colors or designs
- Three of the colors are not very common among waders
- Includes boot hanger and smartphone case
Cons
- Costs slightly more than other waders while being functionally the same
Buying Guide for Finding a Fishing Wader
A good wader will keep your clothing dry no matter how much you move about in the water. This guide will cover all there is to know about fishing waders.
What Is a Fishing Wader?
A fishing wader is a type of clothing that’s worn when going on various fishing ventures, including fly fishing and angling. The purpose of a wader is to keep the wearer and their clothes dry while fishing. They are called waders because you can wear them and wade in the water, get partially submerged in the process, and still have your clothes inside completely dry.
When To Use a Fishing Wader
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is probably the best place to use a fishing wader. Fishing waders are made with the assumption that you’re wading partially in some water, such as in a river, stream, or lake, and the waterproof nature of the wader keeps you nice and dry despite being submerged. Fly fishing often requires you to wade a bit into the water, so you’ll be able to make use of that waterproof feature quite often and quite well.
Angling by the shore
A lot of people fish by simply putting up a rod by the shore and waiting for a bite. It’s simple and very relaxing, and you can admire the beauty of your surroundings as you wait, too. But when that fish bites, you can get that things can get very messy very quickly. All you need is a strong, stubborn fish and one slip-up to get your feet drenched, and if you aren’t wearing any protective gear, you’ll be dealing with gross, wet feet for the rest of the day.
It may seem a little silly to wear a wader by the shore, but it’s a respectable precaution. You never really know what’s going to bite, no matter how much planning you make beforehand. So it’s always good to prepare for the worst, even if that means wearing a wader that may not even get a drop of water on it throughout the entire day.
Boat fishing
It’s pretty common to wear waders while boat fishing, but they’re not used in the same way as they are when fly fishing. While you’re getting partially submerged in water when fly fishing, you’re probably going to be staying on the boat the entire time when out in the water. So instead of being used to wade in the water, fishing waders are instead used to simply keep your clothes dry.
When you’re riding a boat, especially a small and low one, water can easily splash onto you or your clothing. And when you reel in a fish from the lake or sea, it’ll be flopping around, getting water all over the place in the process. The wader is there to keep those little droplets of water away from your clothes.
Picking the Right Fishing Wader
Pick the proper size
Fishing waders are a little more forgiving than other pieces of clothing compared to the likes of T-shirts in the sense that you don’t need to pick the exact size for them to fit. You could be one or even two sizes off and still get a decent fit after a bit of adjusting. But that doesn’t mean you should just pick whatever size you can put on. Remember, you’re wearing that wader for hours on end, and you don’t want it to feel uncomfortable the entire time.
Try to find a size that fits you by wearing different sizes and comparing them. Use any provided size charts or reference tables if there are any provided on the store page. If you can’t find the right size, go for one size larger. That way, you can at least adjust the straps and other parts of the clothing to make it fit a little more tightly and snugly.
Choose the right color and design
Fishing waders come in a few different colors, and these colors technically do have an effect on fish. Some colors may attract certain kinds of fish, and your wader may have an effect on your catching rate. This isn’t very reliable, however, and if you ever consider color or design when picking a wader, it’s purely for aesthetic purposes.
Simply put, go with whatever you feel most comfortable in. Pick your favorite color or find one that you think fits well with the clothes you’re wearing underneath. You don’t need to think too hard about this, so just find whatever suits your fancy and go with that.
Fishing wader price range
Fishing waders can go for as little as $20, though don’t expect anything of quality at that price point. The decent ones come in at around $30, with an increase in quality up until around the $50 or so mark. Beyond that, you can get some more premium waders, though the price may be due to a special material used or design printed.
People Also Asked
Are fishing waders breathable?
Because fishing waders are made to be waterproof, they do not allow air in or out, so they are not breathable.
How large are fishing waders?
Fishing waders typically cover up all of the lower half of the body as well as a bit of the chest area.
Can I reuse fishing waders?
Fishing waders are made out of durable material that makes them reusable for more than one fishing trip.